The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), asking where Nigeria’s President was as Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama addressed the global gathering.
Obi raised the question in a statement posted on X while commenting on Mahama’s address at the 81st UNGA.
Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA, despite delegating Vice President Kashim Shettima to attend, has continued to attract condemnation, especially as the opposition in the country continues to ask questions concerning his drug trafficking case in the US.
While the Presidency said he extended his stay in France to enable him to continue his working leave, despite previously issuing a statement that he had gone to France for his usual annual vacation, some Nigerians believe the President deliberately stayed away from the US over his drug-related inquiry.
Obi described the Ghanaian President’s address as “remarkable” and said it had been commended by the international community for what he described as its leadership and substance.
“The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly,” Obi said.
“The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address. It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”
Obi then contrasted Mahama’s presence at the UNGA with Tinubu’s absence, asking why the Nigerian President had not attended the gathering.
“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?” he asked.
According to Obi, Nigeria’s President should be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level.
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings,” he said.
“Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
The former Anambra State governor acknowledged the presence of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the UNGA but said his attendance did not remove the question surrounding Tinubu’s absence.
“Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?” Obi said.
He also called for prayers for Tinubu’s return and leadership in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria.
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation,” he said.
